Duke has ‘catch-up chat’ with Johnson at summit
One of the last official engagements for Harry
ONLY HOURS after making an impassioned defence of his decision to step back from life at the forefront of the Royal Family, the Duke of Sussex was once again under the glare of the spotlight of the world’s media.
Harry yesterday carried out what is likely to be one of his few remaining official engagements before he and his wife, the Duchess of Sussex, take a “leap of faith” and leave the monarchy for a new life in Canada, with the freedom to take on commercial ventures.
The Duke was in London to meet Prime Minister Boris Johnson and other world leaders who were attending the UK-Africa Investment Summit.
Mr Johnson embarked on a charm offensive to tempt premiers from across the African continent with the UK’s financial and education systems as he looked to open up new trade deals in the wake of Brexit.
Harry, looking relaxed and wearing a suit, shirt and tie, arrived at the Docklands, in the capital, where Mr Johnson was hosting the global event. The Prime Minister and the Duke had an informal “catch-up” chat, meeting for 20 minutes one-to-one without any aides present.
Harry gave an emotional speech on Sunday night where he told the “truth” about leaving Royal duties behind in a bid for a “more peaceful life” for his family.
His comments came after Buckingham Palace released the outcome of talks between the Queen, Prince of Wales, Duke of Cambridge and Harry over the future role of the Sussexes.
Harry and Meghan had wanted to remain as working Royals, although
not prominent members, and drop their public funding so they could become financially independent – a dual role many commentators said was fraught with problems.
However, in a statement issued on Saturday after intense talks concluded, the Sussexes announced they will stop carrying out Royal duties from the spring, no longer use HRH and will repay the taxpayers’ millions spent on
their Berkshire home, Frogmore Cottage. Critics have accused the couple of turning their backs on the monarchy to enjoy the freedom that being able to take on commercial ventures brings.
In a speech at a private event for his charity Sentebale on Sunday night, in London, Harry told invited guests: “What I want to make clear is we’re not walking away, and we certainly aren’t walking away from you.
“Our hope was to continue serving the Queen, the Commonwealth, and my military associations, but without public funding. Unfortunately, that wasn’t possible.
“I’ve accepted this, knowing that it doesn’t change who I am or how committed I am. But I hope that helps you understand what it had to come to, that I would step my family back from all I have ever known, to take a step forward
into what I hope can be a more peaceful life.”
The Duke was not officially attending yesterday’s summit but was holding audiences – one-toone meetings – with a number of foreign leaders at the request of the UK Government. Harry sat down to talks with Saad-Eddine El Othmani, prime minister of Morocco, Peter Mutharika, president of Malawi and Filipe Nyusi, president of Mozambique.